Can I receive Kindergeld during a Discipleship Training School (DTS)?

Are you planning to do a Discipleship Training Schools program with YWAM (or something similar) and you and your parents are wondering what the Kindergeld situation is? 

We have good news! 

It is possible to continue receiving Kindergeld during a discipleship school 🥳 A few years ago, a German court ruled that a Discipleship Training School counts as training. You can take a look at the ruling if you're interested.  

Whether you do your DTS in Germany or abroad, it is possible to receive Kindergeld. The prerequisite is, of course, that you are under 25 years old (and German, Kindergeld is only for Germans). 

What is Kindergeld?

The child benefit (Kindergeld) is a monthly payment given to parents in Germany, regardless of their income, to ensure that their children’s basic needs are covered. Usually, parents can continue claiming child benefit until the child reaches the age of 18. There are, however, certain exceptions where they can continue to receive payments beyond this age limit. One of those exceptions is the child continuing their education or training (up to age 25 or the completion of their first vocational qualification or degree).

Ready? Let's go! 

We're happy to help you put together the right documents. 
Because some of the documents are school-specific, you will need help from your DTS school leaders or YWAM Center.  
But with a little help, this is actually very straightforward.

To receive Kindergeld during DTS, you need the following documents: 

1. Schulbescheinigung / Confirmation letter that you will be attending the discipleship training program
2. Studienbescheinigung 
3. Kursbescheinigung 
4. Lehrplan Jüngerschaftsschule (DTS) 

You can collect everything yourself or download the Kindergeld Guide right below.
The guide makes it easier, as we have provided templates for all the necessary documents that the Familienkasse needs. 

Referenzen:

¹ Haufe. (2012). Kindergeld: Besuch einer Jüngerschaftsschule ist Berufsausbildung (FG). Abgerufen von https://www.haufe.de/steuern/rechtsprechung/kindergeld-besuch-einer-juengerschaftsschule-ist-berufsausbildung_166_74428.html